Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center

The Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center houses a unique blend of artists, performers, and educators. At the Ivy Tech Waldron, you can see a play, catch a concert, cruise multiple art galleries, and even sign up to take art classes

Brain tumor survivor and artist, John D. Shearer, to exhibit at Ivy Tech Waldron in June

Bloomington, Ind. – John D. Shearer, photographer and artist, will display his multi-media exhibit “I’m Too Young For This @#!%” during the month of June at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. The opening reception is Friday, June 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

“John’s defiant optimism shines in every frame, and his audio and video are an unusually powerful mix of journalism and artistic expression,” said Julie Roberts, gallery director at the Ivy Tech Waldron. “His still portraits are especially beautiful.”

Shearer was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at age 28, and two days later, had surgery that left him blind and paralyzed on the left side of his body. He took one semester off from his graduate studies while recovering, and returned during rehabilitation and treatment to complete his Master of Fine Arts degree in photography at Indiana State University.

“The work I created during treatment is probably the most honest that I have ever made – it feels good to be open about the experience,” he said. “This work helps me to remember where I was, and how far I’ve come since it all began.”

Shearer turned his clinical experiences and brain scans into art. “I’m Too Young For This @#!%” includes photography, mixed media, an audio project that chronicles a year’s worth of voicemails, and a video.

“I hope it will serve as an example for other young adult survivors of what is possible – that life after cancer can still be good,” he said. “In fact, it can be more meaningful than ever.”

He and his fiancée, Amanda Billings, are expecting their first child, a son, in late-May.

Shearer is adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech Community College, where he was also a student before earning his Bachelor’s degree. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in photojournalism and telecommunications from Ball State University in 2003, and completed his Master of Fine Arts degree in photography at ISU in 2011. His rock and commercial photographs have been published in numerous regional and national publications, including Business Week, Paste Magazine, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Teen People among others. Some of his commercial clients include Best Western and Clear Channel Entertainment.

The exhibit is also listed at the Brain Extravaganza! website under upcoming events at www.jbtbrains.org.

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